LANCASTER, PA — A Penn Township man, Matthew Harrison, 48, is set to be prosecuted on charges including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, strangulation, and three counts of aggravated indecent assault following the February 2024 death of his wife, Jami Harrison, 49. The decision came after Harrison waived his preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Torrey Landis on Wednesday.
The tragic case unfolded on February 5, 2024, when the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department responded to a distressing call from the Harrison residence located in the 2200 block of E. Mount Hope Road. An 11-year-old juvenile, who discovered the victim, reported finding Jami Harrison deceased with visible signs of physical trauma. The child described the defendant as “really mean” and harmful towards the victim.
Upon arrival, police found Jami Harrison deceased inside the home, with the Lancaster County Coroner’s Office later determining asphyxia by strangulation as the cause of death, ruling it a homicide. The autopsy also revealed signs of sexual assault prior to her death.
Investigations revealed that the couple had been involved in an argument on February 2, leading Matthew Harrison to temporarily leave the family home for a nearby hotel. Hotel staff noted Harrison’s departure on the day of Jami Harrison’s discovery, around 1:40 p.m.
After a brief standoff with police at a hotel in Pittston, Pennsylvania, on February 8, Matthew Harrison was taken into custody. Further investigation, including forensic data extraction from the victim’s and multiple witnesses’ phones, uncovered incriminating messages sent by the defendant.
Matthew Harrison is scheduled for formal arraignment on April 26. Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick will lead the prosecution, with ADA Jennifer Ponessa assisting.
As the legal proceedings move forward, it is crucial to remember that an arrest or criminal complaint is not an indication of guilt. Under the U.S. legal system, all defendants, including Matthew Harrison, are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case has shocked the local community, highlighting the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of thorough and compassionate investigative work. As more details may emerge, the community and the victim’s family await justice for Jami Harrison.
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